The NCAA Transfer Portal has shaken up college football again. Big-name players are on the move, and their decisions could seriously shift the 2026 season.
The portal opened on January 2 and closed on January 16. Those two weeks saw a wild rush—players chasing new chances, coaches hustling to fill gaps and upgrade their squads.
Let’s look at some of the most attention-grabbing transfers. We’ll dig into their backgrounds, what scouts think, and how they might fit with their new teams.
Want a full rundown of the top portal players? ESPN’s got you covered.
Top Quarterback Transfers
Emory Sorsby: Cincinnati to Texas Tech
Emory Sorsby started out at Indiana, but he really found his groove at Cincinnati. He’s a redshirt junior, 6-3 and 235 pounds, with just one year left to play.
Sorsby can do it all—he threw for 5,613 yards and ran for another 1,027 in two seasons with the Bearcats. He landed second-team All-Big 12 honors and cracked the top 10 in both QBR and PFF grades.
Scout’s Take: Scouts love his size, strong arm, and the way he moves. He throws well off-platform and stays cool under pressure. Texas Tech fans have to be buzzing—Sorsby could make them the early Big 12 favorites.
Jaden Leavitt: Arizona State to LSU
Jaden Leavitt, a 6-2, 205-pound redshirt sophomore, broke out at Arizona State before an injury ended his 2025 campaign. Even so, he led a gutsy game-winning drive against Texas Tech that turned heads.
Scout’s Take: Leavitt’s got quick feet, slips away from pressure, and isn’t afraid to improvise. With Lane Kiffin at LSU, there’s a real shot he could push himself into first-round draft talks.
Impactful Wide Receiver Transfers
Trevor Coleman: Auburn to Texas
Trevor Coleman, a 6-3, 201-pound sophomore, was the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2024 ESPN 300. He put up 93 catches, 1,306 yards, and 13 touchdowns in just two seasons at Auburn.
Coleman’s headed to Texas, where he’ll join Arch Manning and a stacked offense. That’s a scary thought for defenses.
Scout’s Take: He’s a big target, makes circus catches, and can flat-out run by defenders. He’ll need to be more consistent, but his upside is enormous. You can’t help but get excited about what he might do next.
Defensive Standouts in the Portal
David Seaton: Colorado to LSU
David Seaton, at 6-5 and 330 pounds, became a cornerstone for Colorado’s line as a two-year starter at left tackle. Now he’s off to LSU, where their offensive line badly needs help.
Scout’s Take: Seaton brings nasty run-blocking and surprising agility for his size. If he keeps polishing his skills, he’s got first-round potential written all over him.
Princely Umanmielen: Ole Miss to LSU
Princely Umanmielen, 6-5 and 245 pounds, exploded at Ole Miss with 40 pressures and nine sacks. LSU hopes he’ll spark a defensive turnaround.
Scout’s Take: Umanmielen is an electric pass rusher with room to get even better. Adding him to LSU’s line could seriously shake things up next season.
Other Notable Transfers
Peak: NC State to South Carolina
Peak, a 6-4, 298-pound redshirt junior, started 33 games for NC State. South Carolina struggled to protect its quarterback, so bringing him in is a big deal.
Scout’s Take: Peak can seal the edge and get to the second level as a zone blocker. He’s still developing, but he’s got the tools to become a top pass protector for the Gamecocks.
Mensah: Duke
Mensah, 6-3 and 205 pounds, led Duke to its first outright ACC title since 1962. He hit the portal again after initially saying he’d stay at Duke, adding a twist to this transfer cycle.
Scout’s Take: Mensah is a legit dual-threat QB with sharp instincts. He’s dangerous under pressure and can make tough throws when it counts.
Ibirogba: Wake Forest to Texas Tech
Ibirogba, 6-3 and 296 pounds, broke out at Wake Forest last year. Texas Tech is grabbing him to reinforce a defensive line that already surprised some folks.
Scout’s Take: Ibirogba is a force against the run and brings real pop off the snap. He can line up anywhere up front, which makes him a sneaky good pickup for the Red Raiders.
Wilson: Missouri to Miami
Wilson, a 6-4, 250-pound junior, had a breakout year at Missouri with 40 pressures and nine sacks. Miami needs someone to step up after losing some defensive stars, and Wilson could be that guy.
Scout’s Take: Wilson flashes off the edge with long arms and a quick burst. He’s got first-round potential and could be a game-changer for the Hurricanes if things click.
Mestemaker: North Texas to Oklahoma State
Mestemaker stands 6-4 and weighs in at 211 pounds. As a redshirt freshman, he led the nation in passing yards at North Texas.
Now he’s transferring to Oklahoma State. Honestly, that’s a pretty big move for a team that’s hungry for a turnaround in 2026.
Scout’s Take: Mestemaker shows real poise and runs the offense with confidence. His mechanics? A little quirky, sure, but he still finds ways to hit his targets with impressive accuracy.
The 2026 NCAA transfer portal has been wild—players are jumping all over the place, and it’s definitely shaking up the season ahead. Quarterbacks like Emory Sorsby and Jaden Leavitt are on the move, and defensive guys like David Seaton and Princely Umanmielen are switching things up too.
If you want a full rundown of the top players in the portal, check out ESPN’s coverage.
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